Your guide and what to expect from a reformer session…
In recent years, Reformer Pilates has gained significant popularity among fitness enthusiasts and those seeking effective ways to enhance their physical well-being. This unique form of exercise offers a variety of benefits, making it a valuable addition to any fitness regimen. But what exactly is Reformer Pilates, and how does it differ from traditional Pilates? Let’s delve into the details.
What is Reformer Pilates?
Reformer Pilates is a specialized form of Pilates that uses a piece of equipment called a Reformer. Developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, the Reformer is a bed-like frame with a sliding carriage, springs for resistance, and various attachments such as straps and bars. The primary aim of Reformer Pilates is to improve strength, flexibility, and overall body alignment through controlled, precise movements.

How Does It Work?
The Reformer provides a versatile platform for exercises that can be adjusted to accommodate different fitness levels and goals. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
- Resistance Training: The Reformer uses springs to provide adjustable resistance, allowing users to tailor the intensity of their workout. This resistance helps to engage muscles more deeply and enhance the effectiveness of each exercise. You will be shown how to adjust the springs on the reformer to get the most out of your class depending on how hard you want to work and any existing conditions you may have.
- Controlled Movements: Exercises on the Reformer are performed with a focus on controlled, deliberate movements. This emphasis on precision helps to improve muscle coordination, posture, and balance. The reformer provides a foot bar that can be used to stabilise the upper or lower body (depending on the exercise being performed) and assist with developing balance.
- Varied Exercises: The Reformer allows for a wide range of exercises targeting different muscle groups. From fundamental moves like footwork and leg circles to more advanced exercises like the teaser and the long stretch, the Reformer offers a diverse workout experience.

Benefits of Reformer Pilates
Reformer Pilates offers numerous benefits, making it a popular choice for individuals of all fitness levels. Some of the key advantages include:
- Improved Core Strength: Reformer Pilates places a strong emphasis on core stability, helping to strengthen the muscles of the abdomen, lower back, and pelvis. Improved core strength can assist with back pain or stiffness and reduce pain or assist with injury recovery.
- Enhanced Flexibility: The controlled stretching and lengthening of muscles during Reformer exercises contribute to improved flexibility and joint mobility. Improving flexibility and mobility has significant benefits for sports performance, but also for wellness as we age.
- Increased Muscle Tone: The resistance provided by the Reformer helps to build and tone muscles, contributing to all round stability and strength.
- Better Posture: Reformer Pilates promotes proper alignment and body awareness, which can lead to improved posture and reduced risk of injury.
- Low Impact: The Reformer provides a low-impact workout that is gentle on the joints, making it suitable for individuals with injuries or those recovering from surgery.
- Customizable Workouts: The ability to adjust resistance and modify exercises allows for personalized workouts tailored to individual needs and goals.
Reformer Pilates vs. Traditional Pilates
While both Reformer Pilates and traditional mat Pilates share the same foundational principles, they differ in their approach:
- Equipment: Traditional Pilates is typically performed on a mat using body weight for resistance, while Reformer Pilates utilizes the specialised Reformer with springs and other attachments. If you’ve tried mat pilates before, you may be familiar with pilates rings, balls, boxes and resistance bands. These can also be incorporated into the reformer sessions to increase focus, coordination and physical challenge.
- Resistance: The Reformer provides variable resistance through springs, whereas traditional Pilates relies on body weight and gravity.
- Range of Motion: The Reformer allows for a greater range of motion and more diverse exercises compared to mat Pilates. Using the reformer for active assisted movements means that balance is supported and the body can safely move into deeper stretches.
Getting Started with Reformer Pilates
If you’re interested in trying Reformer Pilates, here are a few tips to get started:
- Join us at The Well Nest: Several classes are available at the studio and sessions can be booked on a pay as you go basis. There are different classes to choose from; what you can expect from each classes outlined below.
- Wear Comfortable Clothing: Choose fitted, stretchy clothing that allows for a full range of motion. Avoid loose clothing that might interfere with the equipment. You will need sticky/grippy socks for reformer pilates. These can be purchased online or at the studio.
- Consult a Professional: If you have any pre-existing health conditions or injuries, you are advised to consult with a healthcare professional before starting Reformer Pilates.
- Start Slowly: Begin with basic exercises and gradually progress to more advanced movements as you build strength and confidence.

Types of Classes Available at The Well Nest
Reformer Fundamentals
A great class for beginners, this slower paced class will allow you to practice some common foundational postures on the reformer to build confidence. You will also be shown how to use the reformer carriage, springs and equipment safely.
Reformer
A mixed level reformer class focussing on posture, strength, flexibility and balance. Suitable for all levels with options to increase the challenge and progress.
Reformer stretch
A more restorative focus to reformer pilates. Relaxing and calming with emphasis on stretch to relieve tension and improve posture. Suitable for all levels.
Join us!
Reformer Pilates is a versatile and effective form of exercise that offers numerous benefits, from improved core strength and flexibility to enhanced muscle tone and posture. Whether you’re new to Pilates or looking to elevate your fitness routine, Reformer Pilates provides a dynamic and customisable workout experience. By understanding its principles and exploring its potential, you can harness the power of the Reformer to achieve your fitness goals and enhance your overall well-being.
Online Retreat Centre
We may still be in lockdown, but the stresses and strains of life don’t give us a break. Work stress may have slowed down, but family life has certainly ramped up. Living in containment, even with those we love can be challenging.
The Well Nest is still fully open and ready to help you with your mental and physical wellbeing. Classes are on offer throughout the week on a pay as you go basis, monthly subscription or donation/pay what you wish basis.
What’s on?
Weekly classes:
Tuesdays at 12 pm – Mindfulness on Facebook Live. Donation based.
Wednesdays at 12 pm Yin Yang Yoga on Zoom. £5 per session
Thursdays at 6 pm – Vinyasa Yoga on Zoom. £5 per session
Fridays at 10 am – Yin Yoga on Zoom. £5 per session
All Yoga classes are part of the monthly subscription – £25 per month, giving you access to up to 12 classes.
You can book your sessions here, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates and special offers.

If you’ve never tried meditation or yoga, now is a great time to start your journey. All you need is a space to roll out your yoga mat or a chair in a quiet corner (headphones help!) and you can gain the skills to make a real difference to how you feel physically and mentally.
Life is about balance and there is a real strength in peace. Take your chance to get out of your mind and into your body – into your true experience of the present moment.
Try something old; to find something new
Yoga classes are running all through the summer with the Well Nest – why not come along and give it a go!
Yoga is an ancient practice of mind and body that can help improve fitness and stamina as well as reducing anxiety and stress through calming the mind. A regular practice can change your life.
Classes available every week on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Colwich & Little Haywood Village Hall – no booking required, just turn up and practice. We have two friendly, mixed groups practicing regularly. Men and women are welcome and classes are suitable for all levels. Just £5 per class.
Spacious Back Bends with Ann-Marie Mainprize – Review
My visit to the Om Yoga Show this year provided the chance to try something completely different from the selection of classes available. I usually go for something demanding and full-on so I get a good workout as well as learn from new teachers. As I had managed to book onto two classes this year, I mixed it up with a class on backbends with Ann-Marie Mainprize of Amiyoga in Hull.
The class promised to ‘deepen backbends the Forrest yoga way’ through ‘connecting the core and releasing deep rooted postural tension’ – sounded excellent to me! As I’ve never tried Forrest yoga, that was an added bonus.
I know many people struggle with spinal flexibility and I often advocate core strength as a way of back-bending with confidence, so this sounded like a great way to improve my own knowledge and experience how other teachers focus a class on back-bending safely.
The class focused straight away on opening the front of the body as a way to improve flexibility and stability through the back of the body. We did a lot of strong abdominal work which although simple, was incredibly hard work on the deep core muscles. Lying flat on the back with legs straight in the air we were instructed to press the lower back into the mat and curl up the tail bone – the simple action of lifting in this way (with breath work and holds) was a huge workout for the core.
We went on to work dynamically through sun salutation B, some low lunges and lizard pose with a arrow foot stretch (pressing the top of the back foot down into the mat to apply a deeper stretch to the hip flexor) which was bliss but also agony for my tight hip flexors. We visited the ‘engaged glutes or relaxed glutes’ argument when in wheel and bridge – Ann-Marie was on the side of engaged glutes as it provides greater support for the lower back; something I agree with.
An interesting counterpose to all the back bending was to twist out rather than forward bend to reset the spine. Again there is a lot of discussion around this at the moment, but it was the first class I have been to where twist rather than forward bend was taught. I always found that bending the opposite way was counter-productive when deepening spinal flexion…but that forward fold always seems to really loosen the spine as well. The class with Ann-Marie was a real anatomy class – her knowledge was obvious but she made it accessible to all.
The one issue (which I found last year as well) was the poor quality mats provided for the workshops – almost on the edge of dangerous when in wheel as they were so slippery – this is a show issue not a workshop issue however.
I loved the class with Ann-Marie as it was obvious she was used to teaching all levels of students. Her approach was very instructive but helpful (she had three assistants providing hands-on assists throughout). This was a real workshop rather than a yoga class as poses were broken down with anatomy at the forefront. I would definitely recommend this class for yoga teachers.
The next day (and the day after) the muscles either side of my spine were definitely feeling the work that had been done in this class. The simple but effective core strengthening exercises feature regularly in my practice as well now. Definitely worth taking a class with Ann-Marie.
Om Yoga Show Manchester 2018 – Review
I’m a big fan of the Om Yoga Show; this must be the eighth or ninth time I’ve been to the show over the years and the third time visiting the ‘Northern version’ up in Manchester. I enjoyed the show last year and generally find it a much more enjoyable experience than the London version of the show.
Travelling to Manchester is pretty easy from the Midlands by train or car and helpfully, the organisers had kept the venue the same as last year; Event City, right next door to the Trafford Centre (and with free parking woohoo!). I went up on the first day of the show (Friday) and arrived at about 11.30 am and was surprised to see a giant queue to get in, stretching all the way into the car park. I got chatting to a fellow yogi in the queue and she agreed that it hadn’t seemed this busy last year. luckily the queue moved quickly and we got inside to find the hold-up had been due to staff trying to fill and hand out goody bags right in the doorway. Just as we got to the front of the queue we were told the goody bag area was causing a hold-up (no kidding) and so we would have to come back later to collect ours. No problem, as I didn’t fancy carrying the massive paper bag round the show with me.
As it turned out, I could have done with the massive bag to carry all my purchases – I still forget that nobody gives you a carrier bag anymore! The freebies inside this year included samples from BIO-Extracts of face cream, anti-oxidant boost and anti-wrinkle boost and some NOUGHTY leave in conditioner. I gently turned down the free sample of cider vinegar (even though I heard a lively discussion about how it can be effective if applied to acne – not sure which is worse; spots or smelling like vinegar??)
What was on
There was a good variety of stands on offer again this year – about 100 to choose from. This included food and drink, equipment, books, music, clothing, retreats and teacher training, meditation aids, and my personal favourites singing bowls and gongs. I played lots if different singing bowls and had a good chat to the owner of the Moon Karma stand (who was also an ashtangi running yoga retreats in Nepal…that went straight on the to do list). There were also three open classes and two workshop areas and a meditation area. The ticket price of £7.50 for one day entry was a bargain as usual as this allowed access to the show and free entry to all the classes in the open and meditation areas. It also included free entry to Vegan Life Live and the Mind Body Soul Experience.
What to do
I started with my usual quick circuit of the stands to find out what was where and who/what I’d like to revisit. Despite the big queues to get in, the show was not overcrowded and it was always easy to see and speak to any of the exhibitors. It was great to see the open classes so well attended. It’s never necessary to queue for more than 5 minutes at the Manchester show to take part in a free class, whereas I have been known to spend 30 minutes waiting at the London show only to be told the class is full.
The open classes this year included traditional Hatha yoga, inversions, singing bowl meditation, chair yoga, crystals, alignment, how to flow, yoga for MS, Kundalini, Kriya yoga, and vinyasa flow to name but a few. There was also a children’s yoga open area. I didn’t have chance to try and open class this year as I had two workshop bookings, but I did stop to watch a few. The Kundalini open class run by KYTA was fascinating; they played some fantastic music which really did help to connect mind and body (and I was only observing!). That one is going on my list for next year. The classes were full, but I didn’t see anyone get turned away so even if you don’t have a workshop booking, it’s worth coming to the show to try a new style of yoga for free. The DRU Yoga area had loads of free taster sessions going on all day as well – I’ve participated in these before and they are well worth the experience. I always think DRU would be the perfect yoga class to get you going in the morning.
The workshop areas were easy to find and the cost of these longer, intensive classes ranged from £5 – £10 for between 60 and 90 minutes – another great value way to try new things with national or international teachers.
Vegan Life and Mind Body Soul Experience
I briefly popped into Vegan Life Live because I know the food on offer is far superior to any of my own creations. As usual there was a great variety of food on offer as well as clothing, books and workshops to look at. I didn’t spend long in the show, but it was busy inside. I visited Home Kitchen Vegan again for the finest Asian food I have ever tasted!
The MBS Experience looked noticeably depleted this year. There were some familiar stands and faces from previous years, but none of the more interesting meditation, sound experiences and alternative therapies that have previously featured. I’d only recommend a visit to this show if there is a particular Tarot card reader or MBS practitioner that you want to see; otherwise it doesn’t have much to entertain you past the 30 minute mark.
Would I recommend the Om Yoga Show?
Definitely! This show remains a real bargain to visit and with all the free experience areas you can make a full day of it without spending more. If you do want a longer workshop, you can see world leading teachers for a bargain price. There is enough to entertain you for a morning or afternoon if you’re not doing an additional workshop or easily a full day with the extras. I noticed that the variety of clothing stands wasn’t quite as diverse this year but I loved the new additions of gongs and stands with a charitable or education focus.
The show desperately needs more areas for meditation and mindfulness and this should be a focus for next year as it was noticeably absent. The noisy atmosphere of the show means that people are often drawn to the quiet areas; and whilst there were places to sit, there were few places to enjoy a peaceful experience and try something new.
The Om Yoga Show is back next in London on 19th – 21st October 2018.
New Year Yoga
What are you doing for yourself this year?
Come and join us for New Year Yoga! Starting on Wednesday 3rd January 2018 at 12 pm